The tennis team came out victorious winning their second consecutive GLIAC match this fall season.

The last time the tennis team has won back-to-back conference matches was in October of the 2013 season.

“This year was really hard to come back after losing a lot last fall,” said senior Andrea Ruiz. “It feels great that we are winning this year and we are more motivated to win. Although the team has not changed too much, the level of play and determination is helping us.”

Back with a strong traveling squad, the teams, along with their leader, Head Coach Carl Leedy, have the same goals in mind, to win the GLIAC and to redeem themselves after a tough season last fall. 

“We have smaller goals, that will lead us to winning the conference,” said Leedy. “We are always working on smaller things like doubles and doing the right things to be good players and win doubles matches.”

The Eagles faced Findlay in their GLIAC match this weekend, taking a 5-4 decision at the Oiller’s home court. This win made the Eagle’s record 2-3 overall this fall season.

AU’s seniors found much success in their singles play versus Findlay, four team members winning their matches.

Martina Baca went 2-6, 6-3 and 7-5 at her single while Ruiz went 4-6, 7-5 and 7-5 at third single.

Ruiz was tied one and one with her opponent and was losing 0-4 in the third set before she was able to come back and win the match for her team.

“I was really nervous,” said Ruiz. “If I won, our team won but if I lost, our team lost. So I was feeling a lot of pressure, but I was able to give it my best.”

Kendal Stephens went 3-6, 6-4 and 7-6 at fifth singles and Daniela Alves went 6-0 and 6-0 at sixth singles. Stephens and Alves also won their third doubles match by an 8-5 count.

Despite the team’s desire to keep their winning streak going, their Sunday matches called for the opposite.

With a 2-0 record in the conference, the Eagles went into their match with a high level of confidence, although their winning streak was broken as the Eagles were defeated 9-0 by the Tiffin Dragons.

Senior Martina Baca suffered a tough loss in second singles to the Dragons while fellow senior Kendal Stephens also lost a close match verses Dragon Aimee Kaye, who defeated Stephens 6-0 and 7-5.

“Next weekend is going to be tough,” said Ruiz. “All the teams have improved, but we are going in with the mindset of winning one point at a time. We will focus on winning our set, and then encouraging our teammates during their matches.”

The team currently holds a 2-4 record, and competes next on Sept. 25 and 26 at the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Tournament.